South Africa’s ruling ANC discourages visits to Israel

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Saturday discouraged its leaders and members from visiting Israel and reiterated solidarity with the Palestinian people.

“We reiterate that we discourage travel to Israel for ANC leaders, members and representatives for business and leisure purposes,” President Jacob Zuma said in a speech during the party’s 104th birthday celebrations held in the city of Rustenburg.

He said the ANC supports the isolation of businesses in the UN list that operate in the occupied territories in Palestine.

“The ANC encourages our government to continue its program of talking to all parties in the Palestinian territory and calls on the people of Palestine to work together to bring about self-determination,” Zuma said in his capacity as ANC President.

He also said his party is very concerned about the deteriorating situation in the Middle East as this could have the potential to trigger a global conflagration.

“We urge parties to cooperate in line with principles of international law and resolutions of the UN,” He appealed to warring parties in the region.

South Africa’s ANC is viewed by many as being sympathetic to the Palestinian struggle. Many of its leaders have previously been quoted in the media saying Israeli occupation of Palestine is worse than what South Africans experienced during the apartheid regime.

“Apartheid in South Africa was a picnic compared to what we have seen in the occupied territories,” Parliamentary Speaker & ANC chairperson, Baleka Mbete was quoted by local media after returning from a visit to Palestine in 2015.

In October last year, the ANC’s National General Council recommended that travel to Israel be discouraged unless it promotes solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.

During the same month the ANC hosted a delegation of top Hamas officials led by Khaled Meshaal, which angered Israeli officials.

While in November, President Zuma said South Africa wants all Palestinian parties to unite in order to effectively negotiate with Israel for a viable Palestinian state.

Zuma made the remarks at the South African parliament after an opposition member asked him about the recent visit and signing of agreements with Hamas officials in the country.

“South Africa strongly believes that all Palestinian parties need to unite in order to effectively negotiate with the state of Israel for a viable and united Palestinian state,” Zuma told members of parliament during a question-and-answer session.

He also denied claims that his government was taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“We are not picking sides in the Middle East; we have met Israel many times and discussed the issues. They themselves have said they believe South Africa has a role to play to help both sides,” he said.

Zuma said that his country maintains strong relations with both Israelis and Palestinians through diplomatic missions.

He said South Africa supports international efforts aimed at the establishment of a viable Palestinian state that exists side by side with Israel based on 1967 borders.

However, he warned that the continuous building of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian lands is a hindrance to the peace process and a two-state solution.